Top 10 Oldest Medical Colleges in India: India’s medical journey dates back to prehistoric times. But ancient India saw some of the greatest mind find in medicine like Shusurta and Charak. And when it comes to modern and western medicine, India’s modern medical education system also has a rich historical foundation that traces back to colonial times.
The country’s earliest medical colleges were established by the Portuguese, French, and British to train physicians in Western medicine. These institutions have since evolved into premier centers of excellence, producing some of India’s best medical professionals.
In this article, we explore the top 10 oldest medical colleges in India, their founding history, colonial influence, and present-day status.
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India’s Oldest Medical Colleges: Summary Table
| College Name | Location | Year | Colonial Power | Current Status |
| Goa Medical College | Bambolim, Goa | 1691 | Portuguese | Govt Medical College |
| JIPMER | Puducherry | 1823 | French | Institute of National Importance |
| Calcutta Medical College | Kolkata | 1835 (Jan) | British | Govt Medical College |
| Madras Medical College | Chennai | 1835 (Feb) | British | Govt Medical College |
| Grant Medical College | Mumbai | 1845 | British | Govt Medical College |
| NRS Medical College | Kolkata | 1873 | British | Govt Medical College |
| MGM Medical College | Indore | 1878 | British | Govt Medical College |
| R.G. Kar Medical College | Kolkata | 1886 | British | Govt Medical College |
| Lady Hardinge Medical College | Delhi | 1916 | British | Women’s Govt Medical College |
| Stanley Medical College | Chennai | 1938 | British | Govt Medical College |
Top 10 Oldest Medical Colleges in India
1. Goa Medical College, Bambolim, Goa
- Established: 1691
- Colonial Legacy: Portuguese
- Key Fact: Asia’s oldest medical school
- Founder: Manoel Roiz de Sousa (Portuguese physician)
- Present Name: Goa Medical College
- Affiliation: Goa University
Goa Medical College began as an informal medical class during Portuguese rule and was formalised in 1842. With Goa’s integration into India in 1961, the institution became part of the Indian public medical education system. Today, it is a prestigious government medical college offering MBBS and postgraduate programs.
2. L’École de Médecine de Pondichéry (Now JIPMER), Puducherry
- Established: 1823
- Colonial Legacy: French
- Original Name: L’École de Médecine
- Renamed: Dhanvantri Medical College (1956), JIPMER (1964)
- Present Name: Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER)
- Status: Institute of National Importance
Founded under French India, it was one of the earliest efforts to institutionalise Western medical training. Today, JIPMER is one of India’s premier medical institutions, known for its rigorous academics and research.
Join NEET News 2025 3. Medical College, Bengal (Now Calcutta Medical College), Kolkata
- Established: January 1835
- Colonial Legacy: British
- Founder: Lord William Bentinck
- Claim to Fame: First English-medium medical college in Asia
- Present Name: Calcutta Medical College
- Affiliation: West Bengal University of Health Sciences
This college played a central role in training Indian doctors in Western medicine. It became a cradle of both medical innovation and nationalist movements during British rule.
4. Madras Medical College, Chennai
- Established: February 1835
- Colonial Legacy: British
- Original Purpose: To train staff for the Madras General Hospital (est. 1664)
- Present Name: Madras Medical College
- Affiliation: Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University
Known for its commitment to public health and service, Madras Medical College is among the top-ranked government medical colleges in South India today.
5. Grant Medical College, Mumbai
- Established: 1845
- Colonial Legacy: British
- Founder: Robert Grant (Governor of Bombay)
- Major Contributor: Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy (Parsi philanthropist)
- Present Name: Grant Government Medical College
- Clinical Training: Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals
- Affiliation: Maharashtra University of Health Sciences
Grant Medical College was one of the earliest attempts to train native Indian doctors. It remains a respected institution with advanced hospital affiliations and public trust.
6. Sealdah Medical School (Now Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College), Kolkata
- Established: 1873
- Colonial Legacy: British
- Original Name: Campbell Medical School
- Renamed Post-Independence: Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital
- Affiliation: West Bengal University of Health Sciences
Initially established to control epidemic outbreaks, this institution evolved into a full-fledged medical college. It was renamed in honour of Dr. Nil Ratan Sircar, an alumnus and freedom fighter.
7. King Edward Medical School (Now MGM Medical College), Indore
- Established: 1878
- Colonial Legacy: British
- Original Name: Central Indian Medical School
- Renamed (1911): King Edward Hospital & Medical School
- Renamed (1948): Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College
- Affiliation: Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University
- Hospital Tie-up: Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital
Founded by British Army troops and local rulers, this institution has evolved into a key medical education center in Central India.
8. Calcutta School of Medicine (Now R.G. Kar Medical College), Kolkata
- Established: 1886
- Colonial Legacy: British
- Renamed: Carmichael Medical College (1918), R.G. Kar Medical College (1948)
- Named After: Dr. Radha Gobinda Kar, a nationalist physician
- Affiliation: West Bengal University of Health Sciences
This institution was born out of Indian nationalists’ desire for indigenous medical training and has remained one of Kolkata’s top medical colleges.
9. Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), New Delhi
- Established: 1916
- Colonial Legacy: British
- Original Plan: Queen Mary College & Hospital (1914)
- Founder: Lady Hardinge (Viceroy’s wife)
- Renamed: After Lady Hardinge died in 1916
- Purpose: Women’s medical education
- Affiliation: University of Delhi
LHMC has historically been dedicated to promoting women in medicine, making it one of the first women’s medical colleges in Asia.
10. Stanley Medical College, Chennai
- Established: 1938 (Roots as a hospital from 1799)
- Colonial Legacy: British
- Hospital Legacy: Stanley Hospital (1799), formally turned into a medical college in 1938
- Present Name: Stanley Medical College
- Affiliation: Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University
Though relatively newer than others on this list, its hospital was among the first in South India. It formally became a medical college in the late colonial period and remains one of Tamil Nadu’s top institutions.
A Heritage of Healing
These 10 medical colleges not only laid the foundation for India’s healthcare system but also reflect the country’s transformation from colonial subjugation to self-reliance. They continue to contribute immensely to India’s public health, medical research, and doctor training.
Whether you’re a NEET aspirant or a history enthusiast, understanding the legacy of India’s oldest medical colleges offers a window into the evolution of modern medicine in India.
